Buying a New Car- Advice?

So I've been looking into getting a new car because I've been working hard and making good money and kinda just want something different. I want a 4 door car, that is relatively small but has nice features and gets decent gas mileage. Any recommendations on types? I'm looking for advice on cars that people have found to work really well, low maintenance (I'm not into having to bring my car to the shop all the time), and easy upkeep.

Base on the two brands you mentioned I can recommend the Chevy Cruze. Up to 42 MPG in the city depending on the trim level you choose. Starting at $16,525 for the LS trim and up to $18,425 for the Eco trim. If you like something more sportier and fancier that won't break your budget, the upcoming 2012 Buick Regal GS with 29 MPG and estimated to be at $35K nicely equipped might be another choice.

You can also get a 2 to 3 year old 3series with a 100k mile warranty or a C-class with the same. They usually come with maintenance included in that package.

Agreed. The most recent Jetta has been a problem.

Although the Focus is now new for 2012, it's reliability unknown. The car mags are raving about it, but it hasn't been in service long enough to know how it will hold up. An electric version will be available in the US in another year. But a car in Minnesota has to endure extreme cold, so electrics may be doubtful, due to their batteries.

Depends on whether this is strictly a local car, or will be taking long trips. Then you still want something that uses gas.

Another Ford car is the Fusion. A mid-size to compact 4-door. It gets extremely high reliability marks from Consumer Reports, and is available as a hybrid, which gets very high mileage, and can take long trips. You can get satellite radio (which we love), GPS screen, and bluetooth Sync for your cell phone, a very nice combo.

Steer clear of VW Jetta's, they have been nothing but trouble for years, the new model is probably the same. The Mazda 3 is a great car, decent quality, reliable, and can be pretty fun!

The new Focus looks good, has been a success in terms of sales and reviews, iffy past quality though.

Others in this size class...Honda Civic - good car with lasting quality, but new model not as good as the prior ones. I found the dashboard odd and stick a little tough.

Chevy Cruze - has been a big seller and seems to be a good car, keep as an option.

Hyundai Elantra - the looks alone make me say check it out. Hyundai's are now great cars!

Subaru Impreza - not a bad car if you want AWD. A little boring in the base models, but could be a fun toy too!

I personally don't like Toyota's, but there is the Corolla. Solid car, reliable too. At risk to some backlash, I find Toyota's to be boring cars for those who follow the herd. ;) No offense to anyone with Toyota's honestly.

There are so many good choices out there, feel free to contact me if you want. I am a "car guy" and usually family and friends come to me before buying. Good luck, keep us posted on what you end up getting!

it's barcelona red/bisque interior combo gets comments and long glances from all age groups.

even the 4 cyl/6 speed automatic powertrain combo has enough power for my size 13D foot, while still averaging 28 to 32 mph.

i wanted the last generation vw jetta SO bad; had a couple as rentals and was impressed with the audi-quality interior and DSG transmission....but they seem to fall apart in your driveway after 40K.

Camrys are fantastic cars now that they have that little acceleration problem taken care of.

I would also even looking in to a used certified Accord. You can get a good used 2 to 3 year old one fully loaded for the same price as a new civic.

I personally dont buy cars new off the lot because of the initial depreciation hit you take when you drive it off the lot. Get something thats 1, 2 or 3 years old and you will do just fine with value, mileage and usually if its used certified you get a longer warranty on the bumper to bumper end....usually to 100k.

Wow. what an "Intelligent" post with no merit as to why the OP should exclude such a great company.

You've never heard of a "Ford Man" and a "Chevy Man."

GM is notorious for building cars that fall apart right out of warranty.

You clearly have no idea what youre talking about. These days I, and any other educated consumer, would pick a GM or Ford over ANY competing toyota or honda. The two domestics have become a whole new company and have improved dramatically, while the two asians have slid and survive because of the dumb lemmings that dont know any better and keep SETTLING for them.

[quote][cite]X_drive said.....The two domestics have become a whole new company and have improved dramatically, while the two asians have slid and survive because of the dumb lemmings that dont know any better and keep SETTLING for them. [/quote]

Wow. what an "Intelligent" post with no merit as to why the OP should exclude such a great company.

You've never heard of a "Ford Man" and a "Chevy Man."

GM is notorious for building cars that fall apart right out of warranty.

You clearly have no idea what youre talking about. These days I, and any other educated consumer, would pick a GM or Ford over ANY competing toyota or honda. The two domestics have become a whole new company and have improved dramatically, while the two asians have slid and survive because of the dumb lemmings that dont know any better and keep SETTLING for them.

I am a proud Ford owner. The main reason I would stay away from GM is because of going and asking for a handout from the Govt. Ford did nothing of the sort. Same reason I would stay from Chrysler products.

I think the Ford Focus or Fusion or if he wants a small SUV the Ford Escape would be a wise choice, but Honda, Toyota and Nissan makes a great product too and they are all built in the US which in my book is ok. I am still squishy on my opinion of Kias and Hyundais. German car's dependability are highly dependant on the climate that the car is owned in. They desert is very rough on them, but the Mid-West and Northeast are easier on those kind of cars....

I DO know what I am talking about because I have worked with and on cars of different brands and makes and models for over 10 years.

rnch saidi am quite pleased with my 2011 toyota camry.it's barcelona red/bisque interior combo gets comments and long glances from all age groups.even the 4 cyl/6 speed automatic powertrain combo has enough power for my size 13D foot, while still averaging 28 to 32 mph.i wanted the last generation vw jetta SO bad; had a couple as rentals and was impressed with the audi-quality interior and DSG transmission....but they seem to fall apart in your driveway after 40K.

Camrys are fantastic cars

Holy shit I needed that laugh. Someone under 60 and a fan of the yawnry....wow

VOLVO for life...........LOL and you can buy pre-owned with warrenty for pretty decent money.The one time we swayed was one of the new Jettas cause we thought the maintenance would be better since the hubby does a long commute...............WRONG. It went back less than a year later and was replaced with another Volvo.Parts are expensive but you won't need em very often.

Stay away from BMWs including minis and stay away from ALL German car lots. German cars are shit cars that require maintenance like crazy.. and you end up paying for parts that have to be shipped from England or wherever the hell that car is made.Sry to be so blunt, I just had enough of German cars.

You can never go wrong with Toyota or Hondas. When it comes to cars go Asian.

S60turbo saidVOLVO for life...........LOL and you can buy pre-owned with warrenty for pretty decent money.The one time we swayed was one of the new Jettas cause we thought the maintenance would be better since the hubby does a long commute...............WRONG. It went back less than a year later and was replaced with another Volvo.Parts are expensive but you won't need em very often.

Volvos are well built and dependable as well. Jettas are build in Mexico. You see what usually comes out of Mexico.

Wow. what an "Intelligent" post with no merit as to why the OP should exclude such a great company.

You've never heard of a "Ford Man" and a "Chevy Man."

GM is notorious for building cars that fall apart right out of warranty.

Well not in my case and I'm sure not the case of thousands of current owners. All of mine are still in perfect working order. My first GM vehicle was a 2007 Suburban LT and it was perfect when I traded-in the same year with 27K miles for a GMC Yukon XL Denali which was still good when I got rid of it last year with 32K miles because I was down sizing my collection.

My ZR1 Corvette was good when I sold it in January of this year. I see the new owner every other day and he's happy with his baby.

My Current Escalades (2) have no issues and one is 8,000-plus miles out of warranty and I still have no issues with any of them.

People just don't want to forget the old stigma of the old General Motors. This is a brand new company with brand new innovative ideas and products. people who don't own their Current vehicles need to stop vilifying this company.

There's are far more problems with Toyota and people don't seem to want to accept that. America's Japanese Darling doesn't do anything wrong in their eyes even after million plus vehicle recalls that resulted in the dead of their owners. General Motors has had it's fair share of problems but not the extend of Toyota.

ESCESV said...There's are far more problems with Toyota and people don't seem to want to accept that. America's Japanese Darling doesn't do anything wrong in their eyes even after million plus vehicle recalls that resulted in the dead of their owners. General Motors has had it's fair share of problems but not the extend of Toyota. ..

ESCESV said...There's are far more problems with Toyota and people don't seem to want to accept that. America's Japanese Darling doesn't do anything wrong in their eyes even after million plus vehicle recalls that resulted in the dead of their owners. General Motors has had it's fair share of problems but not the extend of Toyota. ..

"...resulted in the dead of their owners...."

Please Prove your anti-toyota Propaganda

The only Toyota I dont like is the Prius and thats only because the people that drive them are self-righteous assholes.

Toyota builds good cars and last and are very dependable. I would never buy one just because I dont like them.